Modular illuminated trophy system

ABSTRACT

Modular illuminated trophies comprise a base and a pedestal mounting an upwardly extending tubular column with a figurine or statuette. The columns are secured together by interior rods, and the internal light bars are conformed to clear the rods. Multiple LED&#39;s on the light bars illuminate the column interiorly. A control circuit located within the base is operated by a user accessible button. Each decorative column is made from translucent, tinted plastic to distributes or diffuses light. The LED&#39;s may be the same color or multi-colored, and they create several different light patterns by flashing, alternating in different patterns, or by fading in and out.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of the filing date of previously filed, co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled Modular Illuminated Trophy System, Ser. No. 60/933,463, filed Jun. 07, 2007 by Ky B. Harrod.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to commemorative trophies, plaques or awards. More particularly, the present invention relates to modular, multi-part trophies with one or more vertical columns that are internally illuminated.

II. Description of the Prior Art

Many varieties of commemorative trophies are known in the art. Typical prior art trophies include a base adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface, and a pedestal extending upwardly from and affixed to the base. A vertically upright column extends upwardly from the pedestal or base, and terminates in a decorative figurine or statuette, which may be of some bright metallic color. The figurine or statuette is typically a three-dimensional representation relating to the sport or discipline pertaining to the trophy. A typical figurine may be in the form of a cup, or a sports item such as a golf ball, football, tennis racquet or the like. A typical statuette may be of a player, perhaps in the act of swinging a golf club, baseball bat or the like.

Trophies are often awarded for success in sports events, both amateur and professional. Typically, a trophy awarded for participation and success in a sporting event will include a decorative figurine of an item relevant to that sport. The trophy may comprise a statuette representative of a typical contestant in the event, or may be representative of the sport itself as, for example, a baseball bat, or a football. For example, a trophy award for auto racing will often include a small, decorative figurine of a race car sitting atop the column or pedestal.

For many decades trophies have been built in a modular fashion by trophy shops from an array of similar parts. Thus, when a customer selects a trophy of a particular design or theme, a size, and a price range, the shop owner can assemble a customized trophy from an inventory of interfitting parts. For example, a given base for a trophy of a given size usually mates with a variety of differently shaped and sized pedestals and columns. The customer's choice for a figurine to be displayed atop the column will mechanically interfit with a variety of columns of different sizes and dimensions.

Trophies usually are provided with some form of written indicia, commemorating the occasion or sport or date of presentation. A scroll, nameplate, a series of miniature letters, or other writings pertinent to the occasion giving rise to presentation of the trophy may be displayed on the trophy body. Usually trophies end up in an obscure place within the owners dwelling, within a trophy case, or placed aside atop a fireplace mantel, for example. Sometimes the trophy (and it's written materials, if any) are difficult to see because of the relatively poor visibility and lighting.

Combining trophy construction with lighting thus seems desirable. However, because of the typical trophy design, it has been difficult to properly incorporate lights and a battery or power supply within the trophy structure in a manner that will not interfere with the shop-owners ability to readily assemble trophies according to customer wishes. As mentioned, trophies are often custom made from modular parts. The typical column extending between the base or pedestal to the elevated figurine or statuette is supported by an internal, threaded rod that extends from the base to the figurine above. The mechanical strength of the trophy is largely dependent upon the proper placement and tensioning of this rod. Typically the rod is coaxially centered within the column, and is threaded at both ends. Because of its placement it interferes with structures that might otherwise be disposed within the column.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,255 issued Aug. 31, 2004 shows a trophy structure With a base; a figure object and at least one luminous object on the base. The luminous object is coupled to a control circuit to produce different lighting effects.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,752 issued Nov. 22, 1977 discloses a trophy lamp with a base provided with a trophy structure and numerous receptacles for displaying mementos such as certificates, photographs or the like. A light source supported by the base illuminates the trophy and displayed items.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,215 issued Sep. 16, 1975 depicts a decorative device with a horizontal base from which a plurality of hollow, elongated, decorations project. These upwardly extending yieldable items resemble stalks of a plant. Very small incandescent lamps are disposed in the upper ends of the members. Wires in the members and base supply electricity to the lamps which can flash on and off.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form of the invention a trophy comprising a base and/or a pedestal mounting an upwardly extending tubular column with a figurine or statuette includes means for illuminating the column interiorly. One or more upright columns that are usually made of glass or plastic may be provided with batteries, one or more LED's or miniature lights and a control circuit operated by a user accessible button.

Preferably the decorative column is made from translucent, tinted plastic so that it distributes or diffuses light to provide a pleasing visual appeal. Alternatively the column may be colorless or tinted. The lights may be the same color or multi-colored, and they may create several different light patterns by flashing, alternating in different patterns, or by fading in and out, as determined by the controller setting.

Preferably, one or more self-contained lighted columns are attached to the other components of the trophy by a metal rod that runs through the column center. The metal rod is threaded at both ends, with one end attaching to the figurine and the other end attaching to a nut in a recessed hole on the bottom of the base.

In experimenting with trophies of the foregoing design, consisting of a single self-contained, lighted column, it is extremely advantageous that the column be completely compatible with other standard trophy components. Thus, for example, the above design will retrofit, to standard trophy bases and pedestals that are currently in stock. However, since cell batteries are used, battery life is quite limited. Further, the latter design is not practical for multi-tier, multi-column trophies. For example, a typical multi-level trophy includes one or more spaced-apart columns on its lowermost base, projecting upwardly to middle levels and pedestals that in turn support more columns. Some form of electrical linking of each individual column is necessary to avoid the necessity of multiple on/off buttons. In other words, a common control is necessary.

A hollowed base supports the control circuit, wiring interfaces, and a supply of batteries. Special wires and wire connectors are used between columns and bases, including those intermediate columns disposed at higher levels. The wires pass through other components-like the pedestal, for example-and must be connected. This design results in much longer battery life and enables the assembly of multi-tier, multi-column configurations.

The controller circuit senses user inputs from a single button-operated electric switch. The button's function is to turn the lights in the column on and off and to change them from one light pattern to another. A single button pulse turns on the array. However, if a series of pulses are inputted, i.e., by quickly pushing the button down several times in a row, several variable lighting patterns may result. Preferably the battery compartment is located within the trophy base. The added weight of the batteries helps stabilize the trophy. Further, batteries may be changed without completely disassembling the trophy.

Thus a basic object is to provide a modular trophy with a lighting system.

A related object is to provide a means for custom illuminating multi-part trophies.

Another important object is to illuminate three-dimensional trophies.

Another important object is to provide an illuminated trophy column consisting of only one piece, i.e. in the form of a self-contained, lighted column, which is completely compatible with standard, modular trophy components.

A related object is to provide retail trophy stores with a number of options for customizing illuminated trophies.

A similar object is to provide an illuminated trophy column constructions that interfits with standard modular components that a shop owner is likely to have in stock.

An important object is to provide a lighting system for modular trophies that assures simple assembly.

Yet another basic object is to provide an illumination scheme for multi-tier and/or multi-column trophies.

It is also an important object is to provide a lighting design for modular trophies that will function with single level trophies or multiple level trophies while providing control from a single switch or control circuit.

Another important object is to provide a modular trophy lighting control circuit for trophies that can handle a single column or tier, or multiple columns and/or tiers.

A related object is to provide a modular trophy with a lighting control circuit that provides the user with multiple, optional lighting patterns. It is a feature of the invention that multiple lighting patterns can be chosen by the operator by pushing the controller button more than one time- in other words, different numbered sequences of pulses produce different subsequent lighting effects.

It is also an object to provide a modular, illuminated trophy that responds to user inputs by the single push of a button.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, along with features of novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear or become apparent in the course of the following descriptive sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following drawings, which form a part of the specification and which are to be construed in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals have been employed throughout wherever possible to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a isometric view of a an illuminated, single column trophy constructed in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, partially exploded view of the column of the trophy of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is fragmentary isometric view similar to FIG. 1, with portions thereof broken away or shown in section for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, partially exploded bottom isometric view of the trophy of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, partially exploded isometric view of the trophy of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly view of the trophy of FIGS. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is a frontal elevational view of an alternative multi-tier trophy;

FIG. 8 is a partially exploded view of the trophy of FIG. 7; and,

FIG. 9 is an electrical schematic diagram of a preferred circuit for the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With initial reference now directed to FIGS. 1-6 of the appended drawings, a single tier, modular, illuminated trophy constructed in accordance with the invention has been generally designated by the reference numeral 10. Trophy 10 preferably comprises a rigid, lower base 12 adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface 13. A pedestal 14 is secured to and rises upwardly from base 12 to support a decorative, tubular column 16. A decorative washer 15 is disposed between pedestal 14 and column 16. Column 16 supports a second decorative washer 17 at its top. A modular ornament 20, which for illustration purposes only, comprises a golf ball, is affixed atop column 16, seated upon decorative washer 17. The ornament can comprise a number of different decorative or novelty items and statuettes and the like. Column 16 is internally illuminated in accordance with the invention, in response to the pushing of an actuation button 11 (FIGS. 4, 5).

An elongated assembly rod 18 (FIGS. 2, 6) coaxially extends through the center of all the parts, being retained by nuts 19 at its ends. It extends downwardly through base orifice 31 (FIG. 3) defined in the top 33 of base 12. The upper end of the assembly rod 18 is anchored within washer 17 by the bolt 19 to compress the parts together in proper axial and coaxial alignment.

FIG. 2 best shows the modular column 16 which is preferably is made from plastic or glass. The illustrated column includes a grid-like, ornamental outer surface 22 that helps diffuse and scatter light. The lighting circuit within the base 12 is energized by wires 28 entering the bottom of the column that are connected to the light control circuitry discussed hereinafter by a plug 30. Wires 28 are quick-connected to the control circuit discussed hereinafter via the standard modular plug 30, which is electrically routed through pedestal 14 into the interior of base 12 through female plug 32, where it mates with the circuitry described later. Wires 29 extending from the top of the column 16 terminate in a similar modular plug 31 for connection to a lower plug (i.e., like plug 30) in an upper column disposed within a multi tier system of the type seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 described later. The wiring and lighting systems do not contact or otherwise interfere with the central assembly rod 18 that coaxially runs within the column 16 to connect the base and the upper figurine or level.

With primary reference directed now to FIGS. 4-6, an upright, light bar 40 is disposed within the column 16 to generate an distribute light. Bar 40 comprises a pair of spaced apart halves 42, 43 upon which there are multiple spaced apart light sources 44, 46, which can comprise small flash-light bulbs, LED's or the like. Preferably the light sources are LED's in many different colors. Preferably different groups of differently colored LED's may be separately illuminated together. In construction, the light bar 40 is mechanically secured between a pair of circular, mechanical supports 50, 51 that are nested against the decorative washers 15, 17 previously described. The bottom of each light bar half forms a reduced width tab 54 (FIG. 5) that fits within suitable slots 57 (FIG. 6) in the supports 50, 51. The tops of the light bar halves 42, 43 may similarly fit to circular support 51. Importantly, there is an elongated clearance slot 60 formed between the light bar halves 42, 43 that provides clearance for the internal assembly rod 18. The wiring bridge 62 that electrically connects halves 42, 43 is preferably curved (i.e., preferably semicircular) at its center 63 (i.e. FIG. 5) to clear the assembly rod 18 as well.

Referencing FIGS. 4-6, base 12 has an interior 65 (FIG. 4) that locates the electric switch 68 driven by button 11, and a pair of battery packs 70, 72 disposed upon a tray 73. Each battery pack 70, 72 receives a pair of size “AAA” batteries 74 secured by removable covers 76. Tray 73 forms the bottom of base 12, being secured by conventional screws (not shown) that penetrate orifices 76. Battery packs 70, 72 include projecting tabs 81, 82 for interconnecting the DC battery wiring as seen in FIG. 4. As best seen in FIG. 4, each tray 73 has a central boss 75 that receives and mounts the assembly rod 18.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show modular, multi-tier illuminated trophy 90 constructed in accordance with the invention. A lower, rigid and generally rectangular base 92 forms a lower support. An upper or intermediate tier 94 is seated upon a pair of upwardly rising, vertically oriented columns 96, and 98 extending between base 92 and tier 64. A third and highest column 100 is supported by a pedestal 99 centered upon tier 94. It terminates in an elevated figurine 103, in the form of a golf ball. Each of the columns 96, 98, and 100 are constructed similarly to column 16 explained earlier. Each column is illuminated internally, and each is electrically interconnected as explained earlier. Each as a decorative washer 104 at one or more ends, which is similar to washers 15, 17. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the base 92 and/or tier 94 may be adorned with a variety of conventional ornaments.

Referencing FIG. 8, each column 96, 98, and 100 is mechanically secured by rods 108 that are similar to rod 18 explained earlier. It will be appreciated that wires leaving the columns have plugs 109 emanating from the light bar within them that can be connected to the next higher tier. In other words, the circuit within the base 92 communicates electrically with the light bar within column 100 through the wiring in columns 96 or 98.

A preferred illumination circuit 130 is built around a controller chip 131, comprising a YIN 611. A battery power supply 132 comprising battery packs 70, 72 and batteries 74 discussed earlier has a negative lead connected to ground 134 on the YIN611 chip. The positive battery line 135 reaches the anodes on a plurality of LED's 140-145. The LED cathode ends reach chip terminals 150-155 receptively. Switch contacts 161 and 162 (FIG. 9) represent a DPST switch controlled by button 11. Once side of the switch contacts are connected between positive battery voltage on line 135, and the other side are connected to chip terminals as seen in FIG. 9. Contacts 162 can latch the circuit on for a predetermined time in response to a single push of button 11. Contacts 161 operate counters, shift registers, and logic circuitry to energize pre-programmed flash patterns of light in response to the number of pulses inputted by the user pushing button 11. Then different sequences and combinations of signals are outputted to chip contacts 150-155 to produce different lighting patterns, which last until the latching of the chip 131 ceases after predetermined time.

Thus, the software controlled chip 131 allows for the implementation of different illumination features that are user selectable in response to contacts 161, 162. For example, LED groups can be arranged to flash, alternating with other banks or progressively.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to obtain all the ends and objects herein set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the 11 accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

1. A modular trophy comprising: a lower base adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface; at least one decorative column rising vertically upwardly from said base; an ornament disposed atop said column; and, means for illuminating said column, said means for illuminating comprising light bar means vertically disposed within said column for supporting a plurality of light sources, circuit means disposed within said base for powering said light bar, and user actuated switch means for actuating said circuit means.
 2. The trophy as defined in claim 1 further comprising an elongated assembly rod coaxially extending through said column for securing it to said base, and wherein said light bar means is adapted to clear said rod with a clearance slot.
 3. The trophy as defined in claim 1 wherein said light bar means has a top and a bottom, said light bar means bottom connects with plugs to said circuit means, and said light bar means top has wiring terminating in a plug for attachment to the bottom of upper columns.
 4. The trophy as defined in claim 3 wherein said light bar means comprises a pair of elongated, spaced apart halves supporting a plurality of spaced apart LED's.
 5. The trophy as defined in claim 4 wherein a clearance slot between said light bar means halves prevents contact with said assembly rod.
 6. The trophy as defined in claim 5 wherein said base has an interior housing at least one battery pack for powering said circuit means.
 7. The trophy as defined in claim 4 wherein said circuit energizes different patterns of LED's in response to multiple actuations of said user actuated switch means.
 8. A modular, multi-tiered trophy comprising a lower base adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface; at least one lower decorative column rising vertically from said base; an intermediate tier supported by said at least one lower column; at last one upper column extending upwardly from said intermediate tier; an ornament disposed above said upper column; means for illuminating said upper and lower columns, said means for illuminating comprising light bar means vertically disposed within each column for supporting a plurality of light sources, circuit means disposed within said base for powering each light bar means, and user actuated switch means for actuating said circuit means.
 9. The trophy as defined in claim 8 further comprising an elongated assembly rod coaxially extending through each column for securing it, and wherein said light bar means is adapted to clear said rod with a clearance slot.
 10. The trophy as defined in claim 9 wherein said light bar means has a top and a bottom, said light bar means bottom connects with plugs to connect with said circuit means, and said light bar means top has wiring terminating in a plug for attachment to the bottom of upper columns.
 11. The trophy as defined in claim 9 wherein said light bar means comprises a pair of elongated, spaced apart halves supporting a plurality of spaced apart lights.
 12. The trophy as defined in claim 11 wherein a clearance slot between each light bar means halves prevents contact with said assembly rod.
 13. The trophy as defined in claim 11 wherein said lights comprise LED's.
 14. The trophy as defined in claim 11 wherein said light bar means comprises a curved wire bridge at its top for clearing said assembly rod.
 15. The trophy as defined in claim 12 wherein said base has an interior housing at least one battery pack for powering said circuit means.
 16. The trophy as defined in claim 15 wherein said circuit energizes different patterns of LED's in response to multiple actuations of said user actuated switch means.
 17. A modular trophy comprising: a lower base adapted to be disposed upon a supporting surface; at least one decorative column rising vertically upwardly from said base; an ornament disposed atop said column; an elongated assembly rod coaxially extending through said column for securing it to said base; means for illuminating said column, said means for illuminating comprising light bar means disposed within said column out of the way of said assembly rod for supporting a plurality of light sources, circuit means disposed within said base for powering said light bar means, and user actuated switch means for actuating said circuit means; circuit means disposed within said base for operating said means for illuminating; battery means for powering said circuit means; and, switch means for activating said circuit means.
 18. The trophy as defined in claim 17 wherein said light bar means comprises: a pair of halves with an elongated assembly rod clearance slot disposed therebetween; a top and a bottom; said light bar means bottom connecting with plugs to said circuit means, and said light bar means top comprising wiring terminating in a plug for attachment to the bottom of upper columns.
 19. The trophy as defined in claim 18 wherein said light bar means comprises a plurality of spaced apart LED's of different colors.
 20. The trophy as defined in claim 17 wherein said circuit means activates different patterns of LED's in response to multiple closings of said switch means. 